I was contacted recently by a chap researching the history of the Bristol Aircraft Company, whose researches raised questions about the ownership of the Douglas business in the 1930s. For owners of machines from this era, the discussion sheds some light on the origins of the ‘Aero’ model name. The generally accepted explanation for the Aero designation is that the company was bought in June 1935 by The British Aircraft Company (BAC), and that Aero was included in the subsequent models’ names to reflect this change. But is this correct?
Mick Walker, in his book ‘Douglas – The Complete Story’, attributes this to a news item published in The Motor Cycle of 20th June 1935 which states that ‘The Douglas factory has been purchased by the British Pacific Trust (a front for BAC) …’ Their plan appears to have been to use Douglas’ manufacturing facilities to produce aircraft engines. However, contracts failed to appear and motorcycle production continued until 1939. This version of events is also to be found in Jeff Clew’s book ‘Douglas – The Best Twin’.
For readers with an appetite for historical accuracy, a history of the Douglas concern on the Kingswood Council website suggests a different version of events.
In essence, the issue boils down to the origins of Aero Engines Ltd., set up to take over the factory in June 1935. Was this company formed by BAC (not to be confused, incidentally, with the later British Aircraft Corporation of Concorde fame) or by General Aircraft Ltd., as described in the comprehensive and evidently well-researched document on the Kingswood Council website? The author of this piece, John Penny, makes a strong argument for the latter explanation.
Something for historians among us to ponder during these icy and salty months while your trusty Douglas is sitting in the garage!
The London Douglas Motor Cycle Club 